There's more to Orlando than roller coasters and mouse ears ... here are just a few ways to explore your city, most of which don't involve standing in a queue.
The best things to do in the Orlando area that have nothing to do with theme parks
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Sep 9, 2016 at 6:13 pm
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Hike at one of our many underrated spots
Multiple locations
From Bear Creek Nature Trail’s perfect loop shape ideal for beginners to the broad and open prairies of Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando has a lot of underappreciated hiking spots that any outdoor lover would love.
Photo via shotbyhrbvn/Instagram
Multiple locations
From Bear Creek Nature Trail’s perfect loop shape ideal for beginners to the broad and open prairies of Hal Scott Preserve, Orlando has a lot of underappreciated hiking spots that any outdoor lover would love.
Photo via shotbyhrbvn/Instagram
Ride on the airboats (and try eating gator) at one of our many fish camps
Multiple locations
With an abundance of water inside and out, Florida is home to its fair share of fish camps and seafood shacks. Welcome to the world of fried gator bites, air boats, cheap beers and sundecks.
Photo via Black Hammock Adventures and Airboat/Facebook
Multiple locations
With an abundance of water inside and out, Florida is home to its fair share of fish camps and seafood shacks. Welcome to the world of fried gator bites, air boats, cheap beers and sundecks.
Photo via Black Hammock Adventures and Airboat/Facebook
Check out manatees at Blue Springs
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, 386-775-3663
Blue Springs gets its name from the signature rich cerulean tint to the water. We hear you can even call in ahead and ask how many manatees are at the spring on any given day.
Photo via Nic Peterson/Facebook
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, 386-775-3663
Blue Springs gets its name from the signature rich cerulean tint to the water. We hear you can even call in ahead and ask how many manatees are at the spring on any given day.
Photo via Nic Peterson/Facebook
Kayak at Cracker Creek
1795 Taylor Road, Port Orange, 386-304-0778
Located in Port Orange, Cracker Creek offers one of the most "Florida" experiences in the area. Rent canoes or kayaks and float down the brackish of the Spruce River. Be on the lookout for manatee, gators, osprey, heron, jumping mullet and more.
Photo via Cracker Creek Canoeing/Facebook
1795 Taylor Road, Port Orange, 386-304-0778
Located in Port Orange, Cracker Creek offers one of the most "Florida" experiences in the area. Rent canoes or kayaks and float down the brackish of the Spruce River. Be on the lookout for manatee, gators, osprey, heron, jumping mullet and more.
Photo via Cracker Creek Canoeing/Facebook
See an outdoor movie at the Enzian Theater
1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-629-0054
The Enzian, a small but adored arthouse theater in Maitland, is known for its outdoor movies and throwback screenings. Luckily, they usually host two different showings a night, with a little something for everyone.
Photo by Michael Liesch
1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-629-0054
The Enzian, a small but adored arthouse theater in Maitland, is known for its outdoor movies and throwback screenings. Luckily, they usually host two different showings a night, with a little something for everyone.
Photo by Michael Liesch
Feed the giraffes at the Central Florida Zoo
3755 U.S. 17, 407-323-4450
For $5, you can feed lettuce leaves to the long purple tongues of hungry giraffes. Feeding times are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m daily.
Photo via nedrubnayrin/Instagram
3755 U.S. 17, 407-323-4450
For $5, you can feed lettuce leaves to the long purple tongues of hungry giraffes. Feeding times are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m daily.
Photo via nedrubnayrin/Instagram
Check out the Gaylord Palms Atrium
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, 407-586-0000
The hotel’s 4.6-acre glass-covered atrium features four sections that can surely kill a few hours. The St. Augustine section’s alligator exhibit is perhaps the hotel’s most noteworthy feature.
Photo via antwainmoney/Instagram
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, 407-586-0000
The hotel’s 4.6-acre glass-covered atrium features four sections that can surely kill a few hours. The St. Augustine section’s alligator exhibit is perhaps the hotel’s most noteworthy feature.
Photo via antwainmoney/Instagram
Learn about Buddhism at the Guang Ming Temple
6555 Hoffner Ave., 407-281-8482
The temple holds a two-hour service every Sunday starting at 10:30, but for those who’d rather skip out on a sermon, Guang Ming provides classes and events that bring Buddhism and Chinese culture right to the heart of the Sunshine State.
Photo via Guang Ming Temple/Facebook
6555 Hoffner Ave., 407-281-8482
The temple holds a two-hour service every Sunday starting at 10:30, but for those who’d rather skip out on a sermon, Guang Ming provides classes and events that bring Buddhism and Chinese culture right to the heart of the Sunshine State.
Photo via Guang Ming Temple/Facebook
Catch a local drag show at Hamburger Mary’s
110 W. Church St., 321-319-0601
A full menu of burgers and comfort foods are combined with special themed events such as Broadway brunches and Cabaret shows to give a full dining and a show experience.
Photo via Hamburger Mary Orlando/Facebook
110 W. Church St., 321-319-0601
A full menu of burgers and comfort foods are combined with special themed events such as Broadway brunches and Cabaret shows to give a full dining and a show experience.
Photo via Hamburger Mary Orlando/Facebook
Rent a swan paddleboat at Lake Eola
512 E. Washington St., 407-246-4484
Lake Eola is symbolic of and to Orlando. Smack dab in the middle of downtown, you can walk, gawk at the city, feed some swans and even rent a paddleboat shaped just like them. Wonder if that scares them ...
Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook
512 E. Washington St., 407-246-4484
Lake Eola is symbolic of and to Orlando. Smack dab in the middle of downtown, you can walk, gawk at the city, feed some swans and even rent a paddleboat shaped just like them. Wonder if that scares them ...
Photo via Lake Eola Park/Facebook
Take a night tour at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merrit Island, 321-268-2655
The Refuge offers bioluminescent tours, where every tiny movement produces a stroke of light. This makes for a dazzling evening, to say the least.
Photo by Derek Demeter
Merrit Island, 321-268-2655
The Refuge offers bioluminescent tours, where every tiny movement produces a stroke of light. This makes for a dazzling evening, to say the least.
Photo by Derek Demeter
Get cultured at the Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-4231
Featuring exhibitions both modern and historical, the OMA is currently showing an exhibition of children’s book art by author-illustrator Eric Rohmann along with several other collections in its sleek gallery spaces. Admission for children 4-7 and college students is $5; adults, $15.
Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/Facebook
2416 N. Mills Ave., 407-896-4231
Featuring exhibitions both modern and historical, the OMA is currently showing an exhibition of children’s book art by author-illustrator Eric Rohmann along with several other collections in its sleek gallery spaces. Admission for children 4-7 and college students is $5; adults, $15.
Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/Facebook
Visit the Orlando Cat Cafe
532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, 352-989-4820
Order from an array of coffee, tea, and pastries, and then play with 12-15 adoptable purring cats. $8 for an hour with the kitties.
Photo via Orlando Cat Cafe/Facebook
532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, 352-989-4820
Order from an array of coffee, tea, and pastries, and then play with 12-15 adoptable purring cats. $8 for an hour with the kitties.
Photo via Orlando Cat Cafe/Facebook
Wear purple to an Orlando City or Orlando Pride soccer game
1 Citrus Bowl Place, 407-480-4702
Soccer has taken Orlando by storm within the past couple of years. Come see what the fuss is all about.
Photo via Orlando City Soccer Club/Facebook
1 Citrus Bowl Place, 407-480-4702
Soccer has taken Orlando by storm within the past couple of years. Come see what the fuss is all about.
Photo via Orlando City Soccer Club/Facebook
Spend a night at Player 1 Video Game Bar
8562 Palm Parkway, 407-504-7521
Open until 2 a.m., this retro video game lounge offers arcade games, drink specials and a ladies’ night with $1 cover.
Photo via Player 1 Video Game Bar/Facebook
8562 Palm Parkway, 407-504-7521
Open until 2 a.m., this retro video game lounge offers arcade games, drink specials and a ladies’ night with $1 cover.
Photo via Player 1 Video Game Bar/Facebook
Go “suns out, buns out” at Playalinda nude beach
Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville, 321-267-1110
Playalinda beach on Florida’s space coast is a popular place for locals and tourists to bear it all. Not only is the beach fairly remote, it also offers really pretty views. Nudity only allowed in certain areas.
Photo via steve_torres111/Instagram
Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville, 321-267-1110
Playalinda beach on Florida’s space coast is a popular place for locals and tourists to bear it all. Not only is the beach fairly remote, it also offers really pretty views. Nudity only allowed in certain areas.
Photo via steve_torres111/Instagram
Climb the Ponce Inlet lighthouse
4931 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, 386-761-1821
Venture to the top of this historical lighthouse to see some breathtaking views, and explore the Florida history museum once you have returned to the ground. Admission is $7.
Photo via Ponce Inlet Lighthouse/Facebook
4931 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, 386-761-1821
Venture to the top of this historical lighthouse to see some breathtaking views, and explore the Florida history museum once you have returned to the ground. Admission is $7.
Photo via Ponce Inlet Lighthouse/Facebook
See improv and stand-up at downtown’s SAK Comedy Lab
29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001
The launching pad of Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Kinky Boots), is a 200-seat improv theater in the heart of downtown Orlando. With a family-friendly early show and a bluer late show, this venue is an Orlando classic.
Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/Facebook
29 S. Orange Ave., 407-648-0001
The launching pad of Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Kinky Boots), is a 200-seat improv theater in the heart of downtown Orlando. With a family-friendly early show and a bluer late show, this venue is an Orlando classic.
Photo via SAK Comedy Lab/Facebook
Horseback riding at Split Oak Forest
Clapp Simms Duda Road, 407-254-6840
Run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this park offers wildlife watching (woodpeckers, gopher tortoises) and horseback riding with permit on Saturdays. It’s also great for a simple afternoon hike.
Photo via kelseyostyn/Instagram
Clapp Simms Duda Road, 407-254-6840
Run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this park offers wildlife watching (woodpeckers, gopher tortoises) and horseback riding with permit on Saturdays. It’s also great for a simple afternoon hike.
Photo via kelseyostyn/Instagram
Tailgate at a UCF Knights football game
4465 Knights Victory Way, 407-823-1000
Orlando’s flagship college, the University of Central Florida, hosts football Sundays that are part-athletic event, part-bacchanalia. Warning: The colors black and gold are expected somewhere on your person.
Photo via Audrey Davila/Facebook
4465 Knights Victory Way, 407-823-1000
Orlando’s flagship college, the University of Central Florida, hosts football Sundays that are part-athletic event, part-bacchanalia. Warning: The colors black and gold are expected somewhere on your person.
Photo via Audrey Davila/Facebook
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